Mental Health Nursing- Ch. 5

The nurse is caring for a client who is complaining about her treatment in an aggressive tone of voice. Which statement made by the nurse would encourage the client to continue what she is saying?

When the nurse tells the client, "Yes, I understand. Please continue," it indicates that the nurse is encouraging the client to continue with what she is saying.

Which therapeutic communication technique is often used with clients experiencing delusional thinking?

Voicing doubt allows the client to express an uncertainty about the reality of the client's perception. This technique is often used with clients experiencing delusional thinking.

The nurse is caring for a client who unconsciously transfers his or her feelings for a person in the client's past toward the nurse because the nurse's appearance reminds the client of that person. Which outcome in the client would indicate the effectiveness of the nursing care?

When the client assumes responsibility for his or her own behavior, it indicates that the client no longer shows the transference behavior and that the nursing care is effective.

A client who lost his or her spouse in an accident tells the nurse, "Leave me alone. I can't talk to you." How would the nurse respond to this client using therapeutic communication techniques?

"Do you feel that no one understands your feelings?" The nurse should put into words what the client has implied or said indirectly. This statement made by the nurse is the best response to the client.

The nurse is caring for a client with situational low self-esteem. Which statement made by the nurse helps the client recognize his or her life experiences?

"How did you respond when this happened in the past?" The nurse encourages the client to compare the similarities and differences of experiences and ideas, which helps the client recognize that life experiences may recur.

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic low self-esteem. Which statement made by the nurse indicates an accepting attitude?

"I understand what you're saying." This statement indicates an accepting attitude of reception to and regard for the client.

A client in a psychiatric unit tells the nurse, "I think I don't want to continue with the treatment. Maybe I should just self-medicate." What is the best response the nurse can give in this situation using a nontherapeutic communication technique?

"I will try to answer your questions and clarify issues regarding the treatment." Clarifying the issues related to the treatment is the best response that a nurse can give in this situation because it helps provide assurance to the client about the treatment.

A client who separated from his or her spouse tells the nurse, "I don't know why I am living. There is nothing to live for." Which statement made by the nurse serves as the best nontherapeutic communication technique?

"You appear to be upset. Can you tell me how you're feeling?" This statement made by the nurse is the best nontherapeutic communication technique because it conveys understanding and empathy to the client.

Which actions of the nurse convey an attitude of respect toward the client? Select all that apply.

-Being honest while interacting w/ the pt -Calling pt by name -Spending time w/ pt -Promoting atmosphere of privacy during therapeutic interaction

While caring for an angry client, the nurse makes empty conversation. What could be the rationale behind this nursing intervention?

Empty conversation from the nurse encourages a like response from the client. It is practiced as a nontherapeutic communication technique in which stereotyped comments are made to encourage a like response from the client.

The nurse is in the first phase of relationship development with a client who is an alcoholic. What should be the goal of the nurse during this phase?

Exploring self-perceptions. The first phase is the preinteraction phase, where the nurse prepares for the first encounter with the client. Everyone brings attitudes and feelings from their own experiences to the clinical setting. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of self-perceptions so as to not let them affect providing care to clients.

Which precaution would the nurse follow while caring for an Navajo Indian client?

In the Navajo Indian culture, touch is not considered acceptable. The nurse should particularly be careful while taking care of the Navajo Indian client.

While caring for a client with anxiety, the nurse says, "I wouldn't worry so much if I were you." What is the impact of this statement by the nurse?

It devalues the client's feelings.

The nurse patted a client's back while providing care. The client felt offended by the nurse's gesture. Which boundary is in jeopardy in this situation?

Personal boundaries are limits set by a client that may include how the client allows others to invade his or her physical space. Therefore because the client was offended by the nurse patting his or her back, the personal boundary is in jeopardy.

The nurse is counseling a group of clients on a one-to-one basis to obtain information regarding their current health situation. Which type of distance should the nurse maintain while communicating with the clients?

Personal. The nurse can have a close conversation with the client in a personal distance while maintaining a distance of 18 to 40 inches.

The client says, "All men are messy and untidy." What type of belief does the client have?

Stereotypes are socially shared beliefs that categorize all individuals with a common factor like age, sex, or race into one group. Therefore, the client's statement represents a stereotype.

During the process recording, a client says, "I know I will have a hard time, but I also know that I have support." What are the nurse's thoughts and feelings concerning the interaction after the client's reply?

The nurse feels confident after listening to the positive reply of the client. This positive reply indicates that the session was successful and may help the client succeed.

A client tells the nurse, "I can't concentrate on anything. My mind keeps wandering." How should the nurse respond to convey to the client that he or she has understood the client's statement?

The nurse should repeat the main idea of what the client has said to make the client know that the statement is understood. Repeating the main idea will help both the client and the nurse validate the statement.

While caring for a client with anger, the nurse asks, "What would you like to discuss today?" What could be the rationale behind this statement of the nurse?

The nurse's question would emphasize the importance of the client's role in the interaction.